In Bahrain the national dress for men is the thobe, a long, loose garment worn with the ghutra headcloth and its black agal, and its logic is worth studying before packing. It covers the body completely and touches it as little as possible, so air moves freely beneath it. A visitor is not expected to wear one, and is better advised not to borrow its forms, but its principle carries over directly: for a man deciding what to wear in Bahrain, the clothes that respect the culture and the climate are long, loose and made of a cloth that breathes.

The season runs from October to April. From November the days are warm and bright, the evenings mild and the humidity of summer largely gone; it is when the islands are most walkable and when most visitors come. The weekend falls on Friday and Saturday, and Friday midday is given to prayer, so souqs and some sights open later that day. The Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir arrives in spring, and the city is at its busiest then.

Manama’s old souq begins at Bab Al Bahrain, the gateway that once stood at the edge of the sea before land reclamation pushed the shore away. Behind it, lanes of textiles, perfumes, spices and gold run back into the old town. A morning here is a walk of several hours in a crowded, sunny place, and long trousers are the sensible and respectful choice. The PP Trousers 100% Linen in Sapphire Blue with the Male Linen Shirt in Grey look composed in the souq and stay comfortable through the heat of late morning.

The Bahrain National Museum, one of the finest in the Gulf, traces the archipelago's history from the Dilmun civilisation to the pearl-diving era, with well-considered galleries and knowledgeable staff on hand throughout. The building itself is airy and light-filled, and visitors often spend longer than they expect among the artefacts. The Laos Long Sleeve Linen Shirt in Dark Blue answers the climate exactly, and its seashell buttons, small and pale against the dark cloth, are a quiet detail worth having in a place that rewards close looking. Comfortable shoes make the most of the long gallery floors.

Across the bridge, Muharraq holds the Pearling Path, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2012 that traces the island’s pearling economy through restored merchant houses, a majlis or two, and the oyster beds offshore. Walking the route takes a few hours through narrow lanes with little shade, so a lighter shirt is welcome: the Cuba Linen Shirt in Blue, worn with the same linen trousers. On the north coast, Qal’at al-Bahrain, the Bahrain Fort, sits on an ancient mound inscribed by UNESCO in 2005, its walls running down towards the sea. Late afternoon, when the stone turns golden, is the time to go.

Evenings move to Adliya, where Block 338 has a cluster of restaurants, galleries and cafes, or to the hotels and promenades around Bahrain Bay. The dress is smart casual and the air is pleasant after dark. The Vibes Linen Shirt in Dark Blue, worn untucked over PP Casual Linen Trousers in Vanille, suits the restaurants of Block 338. For a more formal dinner, the Monte Carlo Blazer from the collection, worn open over the shirt, settles the question.

Beach clubs and hotel pools are where shorts and swimwear belong. The PP natural swim shorts in Black or Oyster go from the pool to the lounger, with a Laos Short Sleeve Linen Shirt in White for lunch on the terrace. Bahrain’s neighbours share much of its climate and custom: what to wear in Riyadh for men follows a stricter city, and the islands themselves are covered more broadly in what to wear in Bahrain. The PP collection is presented a short flight away in Dubai, at Park Hyatt Dubai and its Lagoon Beach Club, Surf Club Dubai and Sofitel The Palm Beach Resort.

In the majlis of the old merchant houses, the seating runs around the walls and the centre of the room is left open, so a guest is seen from every side; it is a good reason to choose a shirt that hangs cleanly when you sit.

Read more: Buying a Linen Shirt in Bahrain  ·  What to Wear in Muscat: A Men's Guide